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Five Best Forums for Graphic Designers

Whether you're just getting started as a graphic designer or you've been in the industry for years, you can always learn something new in a design forum. Online forums are great places to meet others like you, learn what's new in the industry, get helpful tips or get a critique of your work.

Because it can be difficult to find a helpful forum with an active group of users, we've assembled a list of five of the best design forums. Each forum has its own unique focus and flavor. Browse the posts or become a member and start participating in the conversation.

This is one of the oldest and most active forums exclusively dedicated to graphic design. Its large general graphic design section is a great place to go for help when you're stuck on a project. The forum also has a popular off-topic section where users make recipe and music suggestions and enjoy each other's company.

Designers Talk is a great place to go for the latest industry news. The forum's focus is broader than just graphic design, with sections for marketing, Web design, programming and music, giving designers help with any project they decide to take on.

This forum is great for designers working on their own. While it is geared toward freelance Web designers, any freelancer can benefit from the conversations on this site. Especially helpful is the section on the "Three Ms" of freelancing: Management, Marketing and Monetizing.

Another set of eyes is always helpful when developing design projects. Hundreds of other eyes are even better. The HowDesign forum has a popular critique section where users can show off their work and get helpful advice from other designers. Expect plenty of help too – many new threads get hundreds of posts.

It's nice to be able to chat with people who have the same interests as you do. Estetica has the reputation as a forum where designers talk about anything but design. It's a great place to go for a break where you can share stories and gossip with others who know where you're coming from.

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